Playing here is the closest thing to heaven. Really, I mean it's amazing to be in a place where the fans truly cherish their football team and stick behind them win or lose. We players love them, too. I feel a sense of accomplishment playing here, we are a special breed of football players with a great opportunity." ~ tOSU LB Brian Rolle

They're about all I'll watch from these summer games. Greco-Roman and speed walking doesn't do it for me and nor does the boxing where tippity-tapping on the forehead is how they score.

I'll take the hot goalkeeper and forward and the lesbians. Following them on twitter and watching their games, they're basically a female and gayer version of a baseball team. They play the sport at an elite, world-class level and then they fuck around for a few days.

I will say this though; young girls love that team. My 11 yr old, who has little idea of the sexuality aspect, thinks the sun rises and sets on that team, and the players are engaged with the younger kids too. Not in a Sandusky way (as far as I know) but in a 'pay it forward' kind of way.

Exactly. These games will provide a nice 2 week diversion to where we can root for teams and individuals who have a high probability of winning. If everyone wants to keep watching, in frustration, good Ubaldo v.s. bad Ubaldo or the hitless wonders on offense continue as you were.

Yes, the women's national team is an elite team in its sport- maybe it's too much pressure for Cleveland fans to tune in and root for. But if you have a daughter that's into soccer, it provides role models for them and bonding over sports for us. Hope Solo, Alex Morgan is an easier sell to a 7 year old girl than Trent Richardson- maybe to some this makes me a failure as a parent . And yes, Abby Wambach is a dude, but he/she is damn good.

I love the Olympics I'll watch as much as I possibly can. I'm also partial to swimming and have a daughter that's into that too. Lochte/Phelps will be worth tuning in for any sports fan who can appreciate two intense rivals, who remain civil to each other, that push each other to their own physical limits which make them the two best swimmers in the world. Very rarely, is the best swimmer of all-time and the best current swimmer in the world two different people. It should make for good television.

I'll even root for the US mens basketball team, but I'm also rooting for a torn achilles to #6.

over and under on the number of human looking teeth we'll see from the host city's citizens during the opening ceremonies. It just may give any Wal*Mart a run for it's money

Galley Boys are slop on top of a so-so burger and a bun you coulde get from a Covneninet food mart generic pack. They the Antoine Joubert of burgers; soft, sloppy, oozing grease and cheap sauce and extremely overrated by a biased fan base. Proof that if you throw enough cheap sauce shit on a burger you still can't overcome the lame burger. -JB

Over here, tickets have been ungodly expensive and difficult to get for most events. Not to mention that I'm 2 hours away by train in any case, and any ticket will run me >75 pounds (plus then the 40-50 pound ticket for the preliminaries of badminton or whatever unpopular sport that isn't sold out yet).

I may head to a women's soccer match next week, though, since Old Trafford is around 1.5-2 mi from my flat. Can't necessarily be that close and not be tempted to see Team USA.

fairvis wrote:Over here, tickets have been ungodly expensive and difficult to get for most events. Not to mention that I'm 2 hours away by train in any case, and any ticket will run me >75 pounds (plus then the 40-50 pound ticket for the preliminaries of badminton or whatever unpopular sport that isn't sold out yet).

I may head to a women's soccer match next week, though, since Old Trafford is around 1.5-2 mi from my flat. Can't necessarily be that close and not be tempted to see Team USA.

I really want to head down to London to take in the Olympic fervour. Even if the tickets are hard to get, I reckon it will be worth it to just be in the city.

"There is but one thing of real value: to cultivate truth and justice and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men"

They're about all I'll watch from these summer games. Greco-Roman and speed walking doesn't do it for me and nor does the boxing where tippity-tapping on the forehead is how they score.

I'll take the hot goalkeeper and forward and the lesbians. Following them on twitter and watching their games, they're basically a female and gayer version of a baseball team. They play the sport at an elite, world-class level and then they fuck around for a few days.

I will say this though; young girls love that team. My 11 yr old, who has little idea of the sexuality aspect, thinks the sun rises and sets on that team, and the players are engaged with the younger kids too. Not in a Sandusky way (as far as I know) but in a 'pay it forward' kind of way.

Not really baggin' on soccer anymore. People watch what they wanna watch. It's just like me saying you shouldn't like that band, cause they suck. Who the hell am I to make that decision.

But this thing with the US women's team....nothing to do with soccer, but to me, an extremely arogant and unlikeable bunch - with the usual forced drama. I care as much about that chick coming out as a lesbian as I do the other chick whipping her shirt off. Just like Lolo Jones coming out as a virgin - who cares. The last chick championing her virginity was Brittney Spears, how'd that work out? Hope Solo is a C - and a poor teammate (you find out about teammates when things are bad, not good - see Bryant, Kobe).

Couldn't care less if they get kicked in the teeth again, just like the Cup. It'll save the "Here comes women's soccer" and "the first female president" nonsense we get every time the cup or Olympics is rollin.

And really girls, nobody cares. Look, I watch some of the running events cause I run. But I'm well aware nobody gives a shit. Not a big deal really, and I, unlike that women's team, don't act like it does.

It's exactly what you guys describe - a team for the young girls to follow. Nothing more really. But once they take the Justin Bieber posters off the wall they'll be on to something else.

Lochte kicked Phelp's ass. A Tom Hamilton "wow." Phelps' ego got in the way, can't take 3 years off from an event and then expect to jump back in the pool and compete in swimming's most difficult event. He will still have his moment later.

leadpipe wrote:Not really baggin' on soccer anymore. People watch what they wanna watch. It's just like me saying you shouldn't like that band, cause they suck. Who the hell am I to make that decision.

But this thing with the US women's team....nothing to do with soccer, but to me, an extremely arogant and unlikeable bunch - with the usual forced drama. I care as much about that chick coming out as a lesbian as I do the other chick whipping her shirt off. Just like Lolo Jones coming out as a virgin - who cares. The last chick championing her virginity was Brittney Spears, how'd that work out? Hope Solo is a C - and a poor teammate (you find out about teammates when things are bad, not good - see Bryant, Kobe).

Couldn't care less if they get kicked in the teeth again, just like the Cup. It'll save the "Here comes women's soccer" and "the first female president" nonsense we get every time the cup or Olympics is rollin.

And really girls, nobody cares. Look, I watch some of the running events cause I run. But I'm well aware nobody gives a shit. Not a big deal really, and I, unlike that women's team, don't act like it does.

It's exactly what you guys describe - a team for the young girls to follow. Nothing more really. But once they take the Justin Bieber posters off the wall they'll be on to something else.

My daughter hates Bieber. But I agree with and know exactly what you are saying and I am fully aware that most of these sports in the Olympics are an acquired taste, to say the least.

leadpipe wrote:Not really baggin' on soccer anymore. People watch what they wanna watch. It's just like me saying you shouldn't like that band, cause they suck. Who the hell am I to make that decision.

But this thing with the US women's team....nothing to do with soccer, but to me, an extremely arogant and unlikeable bunch - with the usual forced drama. I care as much about that chick coming out as a lesbian as I do the other chick whipping her shirt off. Just like Lolo Jones coming out as a virgin - who cares. The last chick championing her virginity was Brittney Spears, how'd that work out? Hope Solo is a C - and a poor teammate (you find out about teammates when things are bad, not good - see Bryant, Kobe).

Couldn't care less if they get kicked in the teeth again, just like the Cup. It'll save the "Here comes women's soccer" and "the first female president" nonsense we get every time the cup or Olympics is rollin.

And really girls, nobody cares. Look, I watch some of the running events cause I run. But I'm well aware nobody gives a shit. Not a big deal really, and I, unlike that women's team, don't act like it does.

It's exactly what you guys describe - a team for the young girls to follow. Nothing more really. But once they take the Justin Bieber posters off the wall they'll be on to something else.

My daughter hates Bieber. But I agree with and know exactly what you are saying and I am fully aware that most of these sports in the Olympics are an acquired taste, to say the least.

That's really it. Probably came off sounding like a dick - especially to soccer fans, but really, it's a niche deal - and that's perfectly fine. Look, Peeker's got himself a great daughter, who's into soccer, and is a good player. I'd like nothing more than to see her advance through high school and play beyond, thus saving him the estimated 9 gazillion dollars it's gonna take to get her through college by that time. But that's the fan for women's soccer in the US - young girls who play the game, and continue to play through whatever age. And really nobody else, save the parents of said child, until they stop playing.

And if we know anything about the soccer curve in this country, it's that it rapidly declines as kids age, as they stop playing sports or move on to another one.

It's similiar to poker on TV. You know who watches poker on TV. Guys who play poker - and that's it.

Anyone catch the woman’s Epee final in fencing today? Epic stuff. Huge controversy, and plenty of drama. This Korean chick named Shin was in a gold medal semi-final match vs. some German chick, and due to a clock malfunction she lost in overtime.

She refused to leave the court (called a piste) while her coaches complained to the officials. At one point her coaches had to give money to a official in order for that official to file a protest. All the while Shin just sat on the piste refusing to budge. This whole thing took about a hour and a half , at which time two officials forced Shin to leave the piste, still she resisted (this whole time I am thinking that she should use the sword in her hand to fight the officials off).

Anyway , she finally is escorted off , only to come back out and fight this Chinese girl for the bronze 15 minutes later. It was a great match that went tied into the 3rd round (there are three rounds in fencing) and the crowd was obviously on Shins side , but Shin did finally did lose a close one( The Chinese gals reach was just to much for Shin to handle). Anyway for me at least it was the event of the games so far. Not going to lie this was the first time I have ever watched fencing, but I have to say its a pretty great spectators sport , lots of action, skill and intense moments. Cant understand why it is not more popular. Sidenote: A Ukranian chick beat the German chick in OT to win the Gold.

"I don't think they're building chemical weapons in Berea. But they might be. I can't say for sure."Chuck Klosterman

Actual letter (er...email) I sent to Gery Zenkel, head of NBC Olympic coverage:

Dear Gary,

We need MORE volleyball. I mean, 9 hours a day isn't even close to enough. And can you please tell those announcing; letting us viewers experience even a moment of silence is painful. They surely could talk more.

Appreciate the editing and the tape delay too...it's SOOO much better knowing the results beforehand. Especially here on the West Coast. Really takes the stress out of watching. Actually, it saves me from having to watch.

I'm so happy that you and your production team at NBC have distilled the whole exercise into an easy to watch and completely bland event. I LIVE for the lowest common denominator. And I sure do hate those mildy spicy sandwiches they are serving now at fast food restaurants...too spicy for me! Ha Ha!

Thank you for your time, I'm off to carry a "moran" sign to an anti-Obamacare rally.

I've been trying to watch most nights prime time telecast. Good times watching the little USA girls dominate and the Commies shit the bed when it mattered most.

I think maybe the best part was the half dozen times that NBC decided we didn't need to see the score of a routine we just watched. I mean, who gives a fuck about the scores for these things anyway? NBC is doing a bangup job.

leadpipe wrote:But this thing with the US women's team....nothing to do with soccer, but to me, an extremely arogant and unlikeable bunch - with the usual forced drama.

I can identify with that - I feel the same way about the men's basketball team. Nothing more yawn-inducing than watching a bunch of pricks beat up on vastly inferior teams.

leadpipe wrote:I care as much about that chick coming out as a lesbian as I do the other chick whipping her shirt off. Just like Lolo Jones coming out as a virgin - who cares. The last chick championing her virginity was Brittney Spears, how'd that work out? Hope Solo is a C - and a poor teammate (you find out about teammates when things are bad, not good - see Bryant, Kobe).

I've watched all the US Women's soccer games and knew none of this. One of the great bonuses of watching them live online - no lame broadcast or useless NBC puff pieces.

leadpipe wrote:But this thing with the US women's team....nothing to do with soccer, but to me, an extremely arogant and unlikeable bunch - with the usual forced drama.

I can identify with that - I feel the same way about the men's basketball team. Nothing more yawn-inducing than watching a bunch of pricks beat up on vastly inferior teams.

leadpipe wrote:I care as much about that chick coming out as a lesbian as I do the other chick whipping her shirt off. Just like Lolo Jones coming out as a virgin - who cares. The last chick championing her virginity was Brittney Spears, how'd that work out? Hope Solo is a C - and a poor teammate (you find out about teammates when things are bad, not good - see Bryant, Kobe).

I've watched all the US Women's soccer games and knew none of this. One of the great bonuses of watching them live online - no lame broadcast or useless NBC puff pieces.

Megan Repinoe came out.

Hope Solo may be a C--- but she has tremendous eyes and works ridiculously hard. Not to mention she was set forth on a path to selfishness and C-ness by her old man. She was conceived on a conjugal visit for God's sake and her old man was a PoS. She's an athletic freak, though. It's a global pop culture world and global economy out there. And the globally the women's game is growing. There are far more competitive teams out there today than there were 10-12 years ago in terms of international competition.

As to Solo, nothing more mainstream than being an entitled, selfish athlete. I'd argue nothing says, "Soccer is Growing" than that.

In her upcoming autobiography – Solo: a memoir of Hope – she divulges on her father, the late Jeffrey Solo. He was a serial swindler, whose last name may or may not have actually been Solo. Jeffrey started several families at once and conned the mothers of his children and others out of their money. What emerges from these soul-bearing pages is a sympathetic character, a little girl who adored an erratic father drifting in and out of her life unannounced, shaking her emotions like a rattle. That she consequently grew into a guarded woman who is quick to protect herself and hers and go on the offensive with sharply-worded tirades seems a plausible explanation.

Not that most people here give a shit, but the US just wrapped up one dominant swim meet. Yes, they didn't have the 8 individual gold medalist that makes the general public take note, but they displayed more depth than I have ever seen. 16 gold medals, medaling in almost every event, gold in 4 of 6 relays. Phelps and a few more are gone, but most of the same will be back. Sometimes it's nice to be the Yankees/Man U. I know that swimming is a niche sport and I'm fully aware of its place in the sports world, but it's a big deal in our family and community where we live.